[Editorial] Watching Investigation Involving Scandals of Kim Dae-jung Administration

President-elect Roh Moo-hyun officially promised to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation of the DJ scandals, or the scandals that involve Kim Dea Jung administration which have been alleged by Grand National Party (GNP). His announcement indicates that Roh has rolled the dice his own way. He had to roll up his sleeves to guarantee a smooth starting of his administration. If the dispute with the opposition party continued, he would have been left little room for future maneuvering.

In addition, Mr. Roh offered to meet with GNP leader Suh Chung-won, an offer that is translated into demonstration of his strong will to launch a thorough investigation of the political scandals. Thus, we respect such efforts of Roh to end the ongoing war of partisanship.

Nonetheless, we cannot let our guards off. We worry about the possibility that the DJ scandals might be "resolved politically," consequently making it impossible to find out the truth underlying them. Our citizens do not want a political revenge in any form. They, however, want to know the truth. Thus, only a through and transparent investigation is to get rid of all the disputes over the scandals.

In the case arising out of the alleged $400 secret aid to North Korea, for example, a public consensus has been built up on the legitimacy of its investigation. It is an anarchistic idea that we should push the matter under the rug since it was an act of the president. The problem, however, lies in the approaches each side favors: Roh`s side wants the Board of Audit and Inspection to conduct a probe first, and then the prosecution to further it based on the results; on the other hand, Grand National Party wants to appoint a special counsel. Once they have agreed to find out the truth, they can iron out their differences. In essence, the case is simple: the truth will come out only by figuring out the illegal loaning procedures and the whereabouts of the loans made.

It would be better if the incumbent Kim administration should unearth everything that happened during its term but has been covered up. Even if the scandals should be dealt with by the incoming administration, a thorough investigation must follow. Prosecution of scandals involving an administration serves an important historic purpose: it`s not just a punishment; rather, it teaches our future generations a lesson. Our citizens will watch the future of the probe into the DJ scandals.